Per 31 October No More Cash Payments at Indonesia's Toll Roads
Per 31 October 2017 payments on Indonesia's toll roads will be done entirely non-cash, using electronic money. This policy is part of authorities' ambition to create a cashless society and is expected to speed up the payment process at the toll roads, hence easing severe traffic congestion.
To prepare for this new system, Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) - being the payment system authority - continues to coordinate with the central government, particularly the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing as the toll road authority and the Ministry of Transportation as the transportation authority, to prepare the implementation of electronic money (e-money) in the nation's toll road payment system.
However, it will require some swift action because based on data released about a month ago, only 28 percent of toll road payments in June 2017 were done using electronic money.
As part of the implementation of 100 percent toll electronication per 31 October 2017, a regulation will be issued that requires non-cash transactions at all toll roads in Indonesia. This regulation will be issued in the form of a Public Works and Public Housing Ministry Regulation.
In addition, Bank Indonesia continues to work closely with local banks and the Indonesia Toll Road Authority (BUJT) to socialize the program and educate the Indonesian consumer about the changes in the way of payment on the toll roads per 31 October. For example, in order to facilitate the public to obtain electronic money, electronic cards will be sold in the toll road booths. It will also provide more locations where these cards can be loaded. However, to anticipate traffic congestion at toll booths, people are encouraged to prepare electronic money and check balances before traveling on the highway. Provision of cash up facilities in toll booths is prioritized for emergencies only in order to prevent queues at toll booths.
Currently a non-cash transaction discount program is being executed on the toll roads to attract more people to use e-money. The discount program includes discounts on the purchase of electronic money cards and toll fee discounts (for specific segments and specific time periods) in the period 17 August to 30 September 2017.